Today’s guest uses what she learned as a student-athlete to build an inclusive team at her law firm. Amy M. Stewart is the founding partner of Stewart Law Group, the only minority and women-owned law firm based in the Dallas Fort Worth area representing companies in business, employment, and personal injury disputes. Prior to going to law school, Amy was an NCAA Division I collegiate student-athlete and coach. She uses her experiences in sports to build inclusive teams based on the concept of servant leadership, winning the right way, and relying on a strong work ethic to get things done for her firm’s clients. Tune in and learn more about her professional and entrepreneurial journey and her unique contribution to the legal industry.

M.C. Sungaila welcomes Sonia Escobio O'Donnell, Partner at Sonia Escobio O’Donnell P.A., and the former Chief of Appeals and Head Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Miami U.S. Attorneys' office at a time when few women held such roles. Sonia shares how she helped foster the hiring of more diverse attorneys in the U.S. Attorney's office, and how her judicial clerkship and relationship with the judge she worked for, as well as her work with other significant mentors, impacted her career. Join in the conversation to learn from Sonia’s experiences.

Jennifer L. Keller is one of America’s most successful trial attorneys. Ranked among the top commercial litigators in the nation, people describe Jennifer as “one of the best trial lawyers in California,” “has uncanny instincts, a wonderful courtroom demeanor, and an extremely clear and effective communicator,” and “absolutely unflappable in court and builds a strong rapport and credibility with judges and decision-makers.” Today, she joins MC Sungaila to talk about some of her work and what attracted her to the profession. She also shares tips on finding opportunities to have a wonderful trial experience.

M.C. Sungaila sits down with Cyndie M. Chang, the Los Angeles Office Managing Partner at Duane Morris. Cyndie discusses the importance of cultural fit in choosing a law firm -- and how that can lead to leadership opportunities-- as well as her national bar leadership positions. She describes the importance of mentors in her career, and how she pays it forward by supporting and inspiring the next generation.

MC Sungaila sits down with Hillary H. Holmes, co-chair of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s Capital Markets practice. She emphasizes the importance of clear and candid communication when dealing with clients, making the process smoother and more meaningful. Hillary also talks about how well-managed relationships can turn into potential referrals years later and the power of chasing after opportunities instead of simply waiting around.

The path to success is rarely a straight one. Paula Hinton shares her journey from watching her trial lawyer father in court to trying cases herself. Paula is a Complex Commercial Litigator and Partner at Winston & Strawn LLP, and previously served as a member of its Executive Committee. She offers incredible advice on litigating, leading, and carving your own path. Tune in to hear her chat with host M.C. Sungaila for valuable lessons in law and life.

In this episode, host M.C. Sungaila is joined by General Counsel and Vice-Chair for the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, L. Rachel Lerman. She shares her journey from art to the law, and from a career in appellate law to one focused on civil rights protections for Jewish students and tackling anti-Semitism.

Hillary Grosberg has been a litigator and trial attorney for more than 40 years, almost 30 of them as a sole practitioner. Inspired by the show Perry Mason, she wanted to be a lawyer at a young age. She attended law school at night, while working as a paralegal, law clerk and legal secretary. Both fearless and practical, Hillary is a warrior for her clients. Hear her tips for zealously representing clients, and for starting and running your own law practice.

M.C. Sungaila sits down with Kalpana Srinivasan, co-managing partner of one of the U.S.'s leading boutique litigation firms, Susman Godfrey. She discusses her path from journalism to the law, from a federal clerkship to high profile litigation and becoming one of the few women of color to lead a major law firm. She provides powerful insights into navigating a law firm and gaining valuable skills and experience along the way. Tune in for in-depth insights on law and leadership!

As part of a Girls Inc. Of Orange County "Girls Meet the Workforce" job readiness and Externship program, 100 11th grade girls from Orange County gathered at Santa Ana College for a live recording of the Portia Project® podcast, which featured prominent female lawyers and judges from Southern California.

This live event featured previous podcast guests and was tailored for Girls Inc. of Orange County attendees. In addition to podcast host M.C. Sungaila, panelists included Justices Eileen Moore and Joanne Motoike of the California Court of Appeal; Judge Kimberly Knill of the Orange County Superior Court; Orange County Senior Assistant Public Defender Tracy LeSage; and Loyola Law School professor, Rebecca Delfino.

Girls Inc. of Orange County has been a respected member of the non-profit community since 1954. The mission of Girls Inc. is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. We put our mission into practice through the Girls Inc. experience that equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated, and independent adults. Health, education, and independence are the three main areas that surround its program curricula.

Harmeet Dhillon, the founder of Dhillon Law Group and the Center for American Liberty, is a nationally recognized lawyer, trusted boardroom advisor, and passionate advocate for individual, corporate and institutional clients across numerous industries and walks of life.

Harmeet describes her family's journey to the United States, her time at UVA Law School, a stint at the Department of Justice, a federal appeals court clerkship, a decade of practice at prestigious international law firms, and how she came to found her own litigation boutique and then a nonprofit legal center. She provides tips on navigating BigLaw and founding a law firm. This is a dynamic and independent-minded guest you do not want to miss.

Legal thriller author Patricia Hunt Holmes spent 30 years as a public finance attorney with a large international law firm specializing in nonprofit healthcare finance and rural electric cooperative finance. She sits down with M.C. Sungaila to discuss what it was like to be one of the first women partners at her law firm, her journey from a Ph.D. to paralegal and then lawyer, and her current career as an author of legal thrillers that expose readers to real life issues, such as human trafficking. There is power in storytelling, especially in addressing contemporary social issues.